Perform an in-place upgrade of Windows Server (2024)

An in-place upgrade allows you to go from an older operating system to a newer one while keepingyour settings, server roles, and data intact. This article teaches you how to move to a laterversion of Windows Server by using an in-place upgrade.

Prerequisites

Before you start upgrading, fulfill the following prerequisites:

• Determine which version of Windows Server to upgrade to.
• Make sure you have a valid product key and activation method. Keys and methods may vary depending on the distribution channel you received Windows Server media from, for example a Commercial Licensing program, Retail, or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
• Ensure that the install media is ready to use.
• Have a location to store files away from your computer, such as a USB flash drive or network location.
• Review Upgrade and migrate roles and features in Windows Server.
• Review Microsoft server applications compatibility.
• Review any third-party application vendor support requirements.
• Make sure your computer:
  • Meets or exceeds the hardware requirements for Windows Server.
  • Isn't running in Azure.

Collect diagnostic information

We recommend that you collect some information from your devices for diagnostic and troubleshootingpurposes in case the upgrade is unsuccessful. We also recommend you store the information somewhereyou can get to even if you can't access your device.

To collect your information:

1. Open an elevated PowerShell prompt, make a note of your current directory, and run thefollowing commands.

   Get-ComputerInfo -Property WindowsBuildLabEx,WindowsEditionID | Out-File -FilePath .\computerinfo.txtsysteminfo.exe | Out-File -FilePath systeminfo.txtipconfig /all | Out-File -FilePath ipconfig.txt

   Tip

   Get-ComputerInfo requires PowerShell 5.1 or later. If your Windows Server version doesn't include Powershell, you can find this information in the registry. Open Registry Editor, go to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion key, and then copy and paste the Windows Server BuildLabEx and EditionID values.

2. Using File Explorer, navigate to the directory you noted down, and copy the files to aUSB flash drive or network location off of your computer.

After you've collected all of your Windows Server-related information, we recommend that you back upyour server operating system, apps, and VMs. You must also shut down, quick migrate, orlive migrate any VMs currently running on the server. You can't have any VMs running during the in-place upgrade.

Perform the upgrade

Now that you've completed your prerequisites and collected diagnostic information, you're ready toperform the upgrade. In this section, you use Windows Server Setup to select the settings forthe upgrade. Windows Server Setup uses these settings to upgrade your version of Windows Server,during which time your computer restarts several times.

To perform the in-place upgrade:

1. Using File Explorer, navigate to the Windows Server Setup media. Then open setup.exe.For example, if you're using removal media the file path might be D:\setup.exe.

   Important

   Depending on your security settings, User Account Control may prompt you to allow setup tomake changes to your device. If you're happy to continue, select Yes.

2. By default, setup automatically downloads updates for the installation. If you're okay withthe default settings, select Next to continue.

   If you don't want Setup to automatically download updates, select Change how Setup downloads updates, choose the option appropriate to your environment, and then select Next.

3. If prompted, enter your product key and then select Next.

4. Select the edition of Windows Server you want to install and then select Next.

5. Review the applicable notices and license terms. If you agree to the terms, select Accept.

6. Select Keep personal files and apps to choose to do an in-place upgrade, and then select Next.

7. After Setup finishes analyzing your device, it displays the Ready to install screen. To continue the upgrade, select Install.

The in-place upgrade starts, and you should see a progress bar. After the upgrade finishes, your server restarts.

Checking if your upgrade was successful

After the upgrade to Windows Server is done, you must make sure the upgrade was successful.

To make sure your upgrade was successful:

1. Open an elevated PowerShell prompt and run the following command to verify that the version and editionmatches the media and values you selected during setup.

   Get-ComputerInfo -Property WindowsProductName

2. Make sure all of your applications are running and that your client connections to theapplications are successful.

If your computer isn't working as expected after the upgrade, you cancontact Microsoft Support for technical assistance.

Next steps

The following articles can help you prepare for and use your new Windows Server version:

• Install or uninstall roles, role services, or features
• Windows Server management overview
• Get started with Windows Admin Center
• Key Management Services (KMS) activation planning
• Activate using Active Directory-based activation

If you'd like to learn more about deploying and post-installation configuration and activation options, check out theWindows Server deployment, configuration, and administration learning path.